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Los Angeles Sparks: Three reasons to watch the Sparks this year

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 1: Candace Parker #3 and Odyssey Sims #1 of the Los Angeles Sparks react in the fourth quarter after a turnover against Minnesota Lynx during Game Four of WNBA Finals at Staples Center October 1, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Lynx won, 75-64, to force a Game Five. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 1: Candace Parker #3 and Odyssey Sims #1 of the Los Angeles Sparks react in the fourth quarter after a turnover against Minnesota Lynx during Game Four of WNBA Finals at Staples Center October 1, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Lynx won, 75-64, to force a Game Five. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The WNBA is back in action and the Los Angeles Sparks are looking for another great year that will hopefully see more viewership in LA.

The Los Angeles Sparks kickoff their 22nd season in the WNBA on Sunday evening. They will be occupying Staples Center during the summer in their quest to win the franchise’s fourth WNBA Championship.

The Sparks are among the favorites this year to contend for the title in a tough Western Conference.

The reason the Sparks look like contenders is that they boast a pretty potent lineup. Veterans Alana Beard and Candace Parker return along with 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike.

The big question surrounding the team will be how first-year head coach Derek Fisher adapts to being in the league for the first time.

With the new season starting here are three reasons to watch the Los Angeles Sparks:

The Owumike Sisters

Not only do the Sparks have Nneka Ogwumike, but this summer they traded for her sister, Chiney Ogwumike. The two sisters have experience playing with each other, going back to their high school and Stanford years; this is the first time they will be paired in the pros.

Nneka has an MVP and championship on her resume and averaged 15.5 points last year. Chiney is also accomplished, having been named the league’s Rookie of the Year in 201,4 is a two-time all-star and averaged 14.4 points last season.

Whoever faces the Sparks are going to have a tough time dealing with the two forwards down low.

The Veterans

Since being drafted by the Sparks in 2008, Candace Parker has been the unquestioned leader of the team. She is a two-time league MVP (2008,2013) and was the WNBA Finals MVP in 2016 when the Sparks won their last championship.

The 11-year veteran and last year’s team leader in scoring is hungry for more titles as her career continues down the hall of fame path. Her fellow veteran and the reigning two-time Defensive Player of the year, Alana Beard, is going into her 13th season in the WNBA.

The Sparks feed off her defensive tenacity and she remains a threat from deep as she led them in three-point percentage, hitting 40 percent from three.

Best Team at Staples

It’s not too much hyperbole to say that the Sparks are the best team that occupies Staple Center. They have proven the most consistent winners among the tenant Los Angeles Lakers, Kings and Clippers.

They have been to the playoffs 10 out of their last 11 seasons, far better than any of the other teams. They have two former MVPs on the team along with multiple all-stars.

Most importantly, they have the championship pedigree going to the WNBA Finals in back to back years 2016 and 2017 winning it all in 2016. Meaning the Sparks are Los Angeles’ latest sports franchise to lift a championship trophy.

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With that kind of resume, all sports fans should check out the Los Angeles Sparks this summer.

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